South Africa, Niger join AU Peace and Security Council

The Peace and Security Council is the AU’s organ responsible for the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa.

South Africa and Niger are among the 10 countries elected in Addis Ababa on Wednesday as new members of the African Union, AU, Peace and Security Council.

PANA, which reported this quoting diplomatic sources in Addis Ababa, said the countries were elected for a two-year term.

Also elected were Chad and Burundi for Central Africa, Ethiopia and Tanzania for Eastern Africa, Libya for North Africa, Namibia for Southern Africa and Guinea and Gambia for West Africa.

The sources said the mandate of the current members would expire on March 31, paving the way for the new members to take over in April 1.

PANA reports that the election took place as part of the activities of the 24th ordinary session of the Executive Council.

Unlike the other countries elected as fresh members, Tanzania, Guinea and Gambia were re-elected after serving in the current term alongside Cameroon, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Angola, Lesotho, Cote d’Ivoire and Libya.

The Peace and Security Council is the AU’s organ responsible for the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa.

The Council is composed of 15 members, of whom five are elected to three-year terms, and 10 to two-year terms; but member-states are immediately re-eligible upon the expiration of their mandate.